Valmiki Ramayana 6.39.21 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 21

लङ्कादर्शनम्

Viewing Laṅkā and its Forest-Gardens

Devanagari script

सापुरीगोपुरैरुच्चैःपाण्डुराम्बुदसन्निभैः ।काञ्चनेनचशालेनराजतेनचशोभते ।।6.39.21।।

Transliteration

sā purī gopurair uccaiḥ pāṇḍurāmbuda-sannibhaiḥ |

kāñcanena ca śālena rājatenā ca śobhate ||6.39.21||

Translation

Aquela cidade resplandecia: seus altos gopuras, semelhantes a nuvens brancas, cintilavam; e suas construções, firmes, estavam ornadas de ouro e de prata.

Word by Word

• sā: that (she/that city)
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• purī: city
• purī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• gopuraiḥ: with gateways/towers
• gopuraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gopura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन

• uccaiḥ: loftily, high
• uccaiḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: uccaiḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: रीत्यर्थ-अव्यय (adverb: highly/tall)

• pāṇḍura-ambuda-sannibhaiḥ: resembling pale clouds
• pāṇḍura-ambuda-sannibhaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāṇḍura (प्रातिपदिक) + ambuda (प्रातिपदिक) + sannibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पाण्डुरैः अम्बुदैः सन्निभैः = like pale clouds)

• kāñcanena: with gold
• kāñcanena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāñcana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• śālena: with a hall/mansion (śāla)
• śālena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन

• rājatena: with silver
• rājatena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• śobhate: shines, is splendid
• śobhate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śubh (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Context

The tall buildings decorated beautifully resembled air planes and were shining like heavy rainy clouds exposed to the sun. The building in the centre resembled the abode of Vishnu.

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is suggested through contrast: magnificence and power (gold, silver, towering defenses) do not themselves establish righteousness. The Ramayana repeatedly teaches that satya and dharma are ethical qualities, not architectural or material achievements.

What is the narrative situation?

The poet describes Laṅkā’s formidable and beautiful fortifications as Rāma’s side beholds the city before the decisive phases of the war.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s focus on righteous purpose—he proceeds toward justice despite the intimidating grandeur of the enemy capital.